CHILDREN stripped bark from a mature tree while their parents were watching, claims a councillor.

The mature tree on land at Greystones Drive, Bracken Bank, Keighley, was so badly damaged in the daytime attack that it will have to be removed.

Social landlord Incommunities, which owns the Greystones Drive land, said it was "appalled by the deliberate damage" to the tree.

Long-serving local politician Barry Thorne took photographs of the children he believes were involved in vandalising the tree while playing on the grassed area.

But he said the adults present were more concerned with criticising him for taking the pictures than stopping the youngsters damaging the tree.

Cllr Thorne, a former Lord Mayor of Bradford, who now serves on Keighley Town Council, said: “Kids were just doing it while parents looked on.

“I was driving past and saw the kids there. There was probably the best part of half a dozen. I saw them trying to damage the tree and I asked them to stop.

“They were trying to pull a branch down. When I came back up about an hour later they had stripped the tree.”

Cllr Thorne said he had no problem with children playing on the grass area because it was better than playing on the road.

He added: “Kids have always played in trees, which is all right, but this is killing a tree. It is wanton vandalism.

“Why are parents allowing their children to do this? It’s probably taken 20 years for that tree to grow.”

Bradford councillor Adrian Farley, whose Keighley West ward includes Bracken Bank, described the attack on the tree as reckless vandalism.

He said: “A lot of people in the area pull together to make it a better place so it’s disappointing that children are doing this.

“If it’s the case that parents were watching on, I’m disappointed that parents were allowing this sort of behaviour to take place under their noses.”

A spokesman for Incommunities said a member of its Grounds Maintenance Team went out to inspect the tree on Monday this week.

He said: “We are appalled by the deliberate damage caused to this mature tree. Unfortunately due to the vandalism, it will have to be removed.

“We will look to replace the tree over the coming months.”

Anyone who knows the identities of the vandals, sees further vandalism of trees in Bracken Bank, should call police on the non-emergency number 101 or Incommunities’ Neighbourhood Services on 01274 257777. All calls will be treated in confidence.